Status of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis among bariatric surgeons: have we changed our practice during the past decade?

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is considered one of (he principal Causes of morbidity and mortality in patients requiring bariatric surgery. A Survey to all members of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Was Conducted in 1998 and published in 2000,journal "Obesity Surgery." Methods: A survey was repeated to all physician members of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery to determine file Current practices for VTE prophylaxis. The results were compared with those of the previous study. Results: Of the members, 35% completed the survey for a total of 332 responses. The numberr of cases annually per surgeon almost doubled since 1998 (145 Versus 85). Laparoscopic gastric bypass has replaced open gastric bypass as the most common procedure performed, followed by laparoscopic gastric banding as the second most common procedure. Most surgeons (95%) use chemical prophylaxis to prevent VTE, but almost 60% preferred low-molecular-weight heparin compared with 13% in 1998. More than 60% of bariatric surgeons discharged their patients with chemical prophylaxis compared with 12% in 1998. Interior vena cava filters for prophylaxis are considered by 55% compared with only 7% in 1998. The incidence of reported deep vein thrombosis was significantly lower in 2007 (2.35 versus .93), as was file incidence of pulmonary embolism (.95% versus .75%). Almost 50% of surgeons still reported >= 1 fatality because of VTE complications. Conclusion: Chemical prophylaxis for VTE with sonic type of heparin is the standard of care for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Low-molecular-weight heparin is now used by two thirds of the respondents to this survey. Most surgeons who responded to the Survey discharged their patients home with heparin, and many consider file use of interior vena cava filters for VTE prophylaxis. Our findings Support the American Society for Metabolic Bariatric Surgery position statement regarding VTE prophylaxis in this patient population. Research is necessary to establish the role of inferior vena cava filters, discharging patients with chemoprophylaxis and to determine the adequate dosage and duration of prophylaxis. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2009 5:352-356.) (C) 2009 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.